“”Well,” said Pooh, “what I like best,” and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn’t know what it was called.”

“You are just a few laughs away from letting a whole lot of good stuff in. You are just a few kisses away from letting a whole lot of good stuff in. You are just a little bit of relief away from letting a whole lot of good stuff in.”

It’s Christmas Eve last December.We had friends over and hung out, talked, baked Snickerdoodle cookies and chocolate chip muffins for Santa, ate good food, drank raw hot chocolate, roasted marshmallows by a roaring fire, and watched “The Year Without A Santa Claus” on a projector that Philippe hooked up in the playroom.The tree glistened at us through French doors as we cuddled on the couch with our little ones and listened to the Heat Miser sing his infamous song.Phoenix, our 23 month old, was mesmerized by the movie on the projector since he hasn’t ever watched TV (we don’t have one) as Sagey, our four-year-old, kept asking “Is the Heat Miser real?”

After our friends left, we sat by the fire some more and read “Twas the Night Before Christmas” aloud as the kids opened one gift each.

Then upstairs we went for bedtime routines and lots of dawdling, procrastination, and questions about when I thought Santa would be coming.

As I nursed Phoenix to sleep that night, I realized how much I love anticipation.How much I thrive on the thought OF something—as much or even more so than the actual something.The energy and excitement that flowed through my body on that Christmas Eve was palpable—I was tuning into the energy and excitement of not only my three children, but many children around the world as they squealed in delight at the thought of Santa coming down the chimney to pay them a visit.

And then it occurred to me that this is precisely what Abraham (Abraham-hicks.com) is talking about when she discusses being happy now—no matter whether what you want has happened, or not.When she explains that you have to get happy first in order for “the thing” to happen, and not the other way around.When she describes in countless ways that it is our “work” to simply find joy, and from joy, our goals will be attained—not the other way around.

It occurred to me at this moment, after many years of manifesting things that I want effortlessly (applying myself with focused work but not trying hard or “efforting”–there is a big difference), why it is that I am blessed to find it so easy.

I had never really had words for it until this night—this magical Christmas eve, when I had the realization that I don’t ever wait for something to occur to “be happy.”I am happy now, in anticipation of whatever it is that’s on its way.And I know it’s on its way.I know unequivocally.It may not show up in exactly the way that I have envisioned, but it WILL show up.

When my ex-husband and I were separated, he said to me once in anger “I hope you find someone who makes you happy!”to which I responded:“I am happy now.I am already happy.I don’t need anyone to make me happy.”And I meant it.

This was a pivotal moment in our 18 year relationship because as I said these words, my ex-husband got even angrier, and the cavernous gap between us grew even larger.

It became crystal clear to me that he absolutely did not get me, or have any idea what I was talking about.It was a sad, validating, and deeply emotional moment.And one I will always remember.Not only because it clarified where we had journeyed to in our very long-term relationship, but because it defined for me the essence of what I would later teach to many thousands of people—the art of manifesting–or allowing what you want into your life.

So practice now.Why not?It’s easy.Just think of something that makes you happy, and hold that thought.As the energy of your thought envelopes you, you immediately begin to magnetize to yourself more of that same energy.And with that positive energy defining your experience and therefore you in this moment, whatever it is that you want to come into your life will do so, effortlessly.

You are a magnet.So powerful, so strong.But choose wisely.What are you magnetizing to yourself right now with that thought?